Bergen, one of the oldest cities in Norway, was founded by fish traders probably around 1030. Because of its great importance as a trading post by the end of the Viking era, and as a commerce center for the Hanseatic League (the Northern European economic alliance that flourished between the 13 and the 16 centuries), the city became one of the largest in Scandinavia and, until about 1830, the biggest population center in Norway.
The city and port of Bergen seen from the top of Mount Fløyen. Fløibanen is a funicular which runs up the mountain. It is one of Bergen's major tourist attractions and one of Norway's most visited places.
The Bryggen, seen from across the harbor. This section of the city is one of the best recognized views of Bergen.
The location of Bergen in the South-West of the Scandinavian Peninsula was most likely chosen to take advantage of one of the best harbours in the region, protected from most wind directions. For long time the city was a major port for trade operations of the Atlantic cod fishery, which lasted until about the end of the 20th Century, by the time stocks of northern Atlantic cod became nearly depleted. Salmon fisheries however, have remained and important economic activity in the region based on the harvest of wild stocks, but since 1980 Norwegian fisheries has mostly focused on the
intensive cultivation of Atlantic salmon. In 2009, Norway accounted for almost half of the global production of farmed salmon and trout with close to 850000 tonnes and it is the third largest industry in the country, after petroleum and mining. The city of Bergen is considered the focal point of
salmon production in Norway and one of the major worldwide centers for
research and development in fisheries.
Center of the city of Bergen seen from the hill where the University of Bergen is located.
Lille Lungegårdsvann - Bergen's city lake and park. It's a peaceful location right in the center of the city, not far from the Wharf.
Formal gardens at the University of Bergen's Botanical Garden, near the Bergen Museum.
Bergen is placed in a beautiful geographical setting and has become an important tourist attraction in Scandinavia and the gateway to the scenic Norwegian fjords. It is also the departure point of the NSB (
Norwegian State Railways) Bergen-Oslo train journey which is considered one of the most exciting and beautiful
train rides in the world.
The Norwegian State Railway (NSB) Station in Bergen is the starting point for the scenic Bergen Line to Oslo, a 4.5 hour train ride through the mountains.
The Norwegian State Railways' Bergen-Oslo train, ready for departure. This is considered one of the most exciting and beautiful train rides in the world.
The city has been ravaged by many great fires during its history which caused significant damage to most historic records and buildings. However, many restored and well preserved buildings and narrow alleyways have remained in Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen. This section of the city was included in 1979 in the
UNESCO World Heritage List.
View of Bergen, across from the Fish Market. At the center-right is the statue of Ludvig Holberg (1684 – 1754). Holberg was a writer, essayist, philosopher and historian born in Bergen.
A very narrow alley-way in the old section of the city of Bergen, near the old wharf.
Bergen, has many museums and is among the most important cultural centers in Europe. Among the interesting places to visit are the Hanseatic Museum, The Norwegian Museum of Fisheries, the Bergen Maritime Museum and the Bergenhus Fortress.
The Rosenkrantz Tower, part of Bergenhus Fortress, located at the entrance to the harbor in Bergen. This is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in Norway.
St Mary's Church in Norway. The construction of the church may have started in the 1130s or 40s and it was completed around 1180, making the church the oldest remaining building in Bergen.
Located between high mountains and the sea, Bergen is a very rainy place. The average is about 240 days in the year with some amount of precipitation. There is record set in 2007 of 85 days of continuous rain in the city. A joke is told in Bergen about a tourist asking a local boy if the rain ever stops. The boy replies "I don't know, I'm only twelve."
An elegant pergola located near the park and small lake in the center of Bergen.
